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The Final Sacrifice | 
 enlarge | Author: Patricia Bray
Publisher: Spectra
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
Buy New: $3.40
You Save: $3.59 (51%)
New (33) Used (13) from $1.79
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 134461
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 3.9 x 1.1
ISBN: 0553588788
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780553588781
ASIN: 0553588788
Publication Date: June 24, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In one man, two souls fight for survival—and for mastery of an outlaw magic that could save a kingdom.
It was a fate Josan once considered preferable to death. Cast by dark sorcery into the body of Emperor Lucius of Ikaria, the scholar-monk struggled to make peace with a mind that regarded him as a hostile intruder. But now, as simmering rivalries threaten to plunge the kingdom into a bloody civil war, Josan is faced with the most difficult choice of all. For the uneasy truce between him and Lucius is unraveling in a form of madness that is destroying the body they share. There’s only one hope for a cure.
Disguised, stowing away as a common traveler, Josan/Lucius will make the hazardous journey to Xandropol. There in the great library of the Learned Brethren, Josan hopes to find the forbidden magic that will counter the spell that yokes him and Lucius. But an old antagonist is already on their trail: the Lady Ysobel follows them to what she realizes is the scene of her and Josan’s fateful first meeting. But not even she divines the reason for this final pilgrimage: that Josan has returned to sacrifice his life.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Good ending August 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Good ending to a solid series. Obviously, this book shouldn't be read without having read the first two in the series. However, I couldn't remember many of the names, characters, and events from the first two books, so sometimes I struggled with it. I made it through without being overly confused most of the time, so hey, maybe you don't need to read the first two. Is it groundbreaking? No. But it is well written with characters I came to care about and respect. Their This book was entertaining and a pleasure to read. A very good end to a solid series.
 Less than the Series Deserves August 7, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is the final installment of Patricia Bay's series following the exploits of a Brother Josan and his host, Prince Lucius. Where the previous two installments to the tale were interesting enough, the writing winds down noticeably in this final piece. There are three main problems with this novel, ones that are fatal in my mind. First and foremost, the characters this time around are boring. There's little development, as they follow the same, simplistic mindset all the way through. That, and the most dynamic characters up to this book, Prince Lucius, has his appearances set far and few in between. The second issue is the obnoxious minutia of it all, especially regarding politics. Some might find it deep and intriguing, but I find it rather annoying to have the same litany of problems and intrigues placed at every page. And when it all comes down to it, for all this intrigue, little truly changes. A truce is solidified into a stronger truce; wow, it really took that many pages to develop? Which brings to mind the final problem: the resolution. The whole first half of the book is devoted to finding a cure that Josan/Lucius quest for. Of course that isn't resolved until the second half of the book is over. The second half is about saving the Ikarian Empire, and pointless political intrigue. In the last ten pages, the cure issue is finally resolved, while the political intrigue related conflict isn't. It leaves you wondering why you read the book in the first place, in all honesty. But, to be fair, the reason may very well be that the first two books in the series were far better, and the hopes for this entry too high.
Not lovin it...... July 18, 2008
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
I am a huge Patricia Bray fan and was pleasantly surprised to find these books by her that I had originally missed. Unfortunately going back is not always good, I think she has grown so much as an author that these books couldn't hold my interest. I think I got through the first book (barely) and had to stop. I kept them on my bookshelf though and I am hoping to go back and give them another try.
Try buying her newer releases and you will positively love them.
 Excellent character driven epic July 2, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Brother Nikos leader of The Learned Brethren arranged for a spell to transfer dying monk Josan's soul into the body of the heir apparent to the Ikarian Empire Prince Lucius. The spell failed when a decade after it was cast, the soul of Lucius returned to his body. Both inhabit the body of the Lucius body and they are both now the emperor.
Josan and Lucius may share a body, but they are totally opposite in personalities. The former focuses on just rule of the empire; the latter chooses to ignore responsibility to return to his playboy prince days. Josan concludes the relationship must end with Lucius alone in the body; he starts traveling to Xandropal where the Learned Brethren possess the largest book collection in the Empire. Sendat spy Lady Ysobel knows who he is, but both change their plans when what look like Ikarian ships attack Federation vessels; the assault armada are from Vidrun disguised as Ikarians. Vidrun wants their neighbors at war with each other so they as "neutral" can become the victors. In Ikaria, civil war is imminent as two adversaries want the emperor declared dead.
THE FINAL SACRAMENT, the final book in the Ikarian Empire trilogy (see THE SEA CHANGE and THE FIRST BETRAYAL), is a character driven epic that can be read alone. However it behooves newcomers to obtain the previous tales to better understand what led to Josan's current predicament. The action is somewhat limited, as the heart of this entry is Josan a scholar who has become a compassionate ruler caring for his people. Lucius compares unfavorably as he rightfully angry as he lost his body for a decade and now shares what is rightfully his. Josan gives up his goal to right the wrong to Lucius because of a greater need than either of their lives or souls. His willingness to sacrifice himself turns Lady Ysobel from enemy to admirer as she looks at her soul and feels inadequate. Readers who appreciate a deep look at people in charge will relish this entry in a strong saga.
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